E-Congress

Congress is older, better educated, more white, more male, and richer than the rest of the United States. In the 115th Congress there are:

50 African-Americans,

39 Hispanic-Americans,

15 Members of Asian or Native Hawaiian ancestry,

2 Native Americans.

The total number of women in Congress is 109. There are 21 in the Senate and 88 in the House, three of whom are non-voting delegates from Washington, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Does it make a difference if a representative or senator is male or female, African-American or Latino or Caucasian, young or old, gay or straight? Can a man represent the interests of women as well as a woman can? Can a rich woman represent the interests of the poor? Are veterans more sensitive to veterans' issues? Visit the Congressional Research Service for more demographic information of the 115th Congress.